Apparatus for flame production

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises an apparatus for flame production comprising: at least one power supply; at least one 120 volt power inverter; at least one main operation control; at least one 24 volt transformer; at least one ignition flame sensing control; at least one gas valve and tank; at least one ignition source; at least one flame pipe; and means for connecting all components.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/992,712 filed May 13, 2014, titled “Apparatusfor Flame Production” and the subject matter thereof is incorporatedherein by reference thereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to an apparatus for flameproduction, and more specifically, flame production on a vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

Certain embodiments of the invention have other steps or elements inaddition to or in place of those mentioned above. The steps or elementwill become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of thefollowing detailed description when taken with reference to theaccompanying figures.

Apparatuses for producing flames in the exhaust pipes of vehicles areknown in the prior art. US 20100307138 A1 entitled “Diesel EngineExhaust Purifier” provides a system that is installed into the exhaustpipe of an automobile.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,478 entitled “Visible Flame Exhaust Pipe” simplyprovides a transparent exhaust pipe installed in the car's exhaustsystem so the combustion flames are visible as they exit the exhaustsystem.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,981,057 entitled “Combination Muffler and After Burner”provides an apparatus designed to reduce the quantity of unburnedhydrocarbons in auto exhaust gases before being discharged into theatmosphere. The prior art device is a muffler and must be installed intothe exhaust system of the automobile and must be connected to theelectrical system of the automobile.

The prior art apparatuses require extensive installation on theautomobile, and in some cases, connecting directly to the gas line ofthe automobile. Additionally, the prior art apparatuses are only to beinstalled in the exhaust system of automobiles, thus limiting their use.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises an ignition source andgas and/or liquid dispersion system disposed on or in a tube. A tankattached to the apparatus holds the gas and/or liquid and controls theflow of the gas and/or liquid. An external control panel allows the userto turn the ignition source on and off, as well as to control the flowof the gas and/or liquid thus creating flames.

The ignition source is chosen from the group comprising, including, butnot limited to, glow plugs, hot surface igniters, and/or electronicigniters.

Glow plugs are well-known in the prior art and are typically used incompression-ignition-type internal combustion engines, such as dieselengines. Diesel engines do not use spark plugs to induce combustion, asdo gasoline engines, but instead, diesel engines rely solely oncompression to raise the temperature of the air whereby the diesel willcombust spontaneously when introduced to the hot high pressure air. Glowplugs aid in the starting of diesel engines, especially in cold weather,by heating up the air in the combustion chamber so that self-combustionis possible.

Glow plugs, when electrified, create heat by electrical resistance andemit light in the visible spectrum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises an apparatus for flame productioncomprising: at least one power supply; at least one 120 volt powerinverter; at least one main operation control; at least one 24 volttransformer; at least one ignition flame sensing control; at least onegas valve and tank; at least one ignition source; at least one flamepipe; and means for connecting all components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described herein.The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enablethose skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments would be evident based on the presentdisclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the following description, numerous specific details are given toprovide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will beapparent that the invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In order to avoid obscuring the present invention, somewell-known system configurations, and process steps are not disclosed indetail.

The figures illustrating embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammaticand not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for theclarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawingfigures.

The same numbers are used in all the drawing figures to relate to thesame elements. The embodiments have been numbered first embodiment,second embodiment, etc. as a matter of descriptive convenience and arenot intended to have any other significance or provide limitations forthe present invention.

For expository purposes, the term “horizontal” as used herein is definedas a plane parallel to the plane or surface of the apparatus of thepresent invention, regardless of its orientation. The term “vertical”refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined.Terms, such as “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, “side” (as in“sidewall”), “higher”, “lower”, “upper”, “over”, and “under”, aredefined with respect to the horizontal plane, as shown in the figures.The term “on” means that there is direct contact among elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of flame production system 100. Mainpower supply 107 is connected to the 120 volt power inverter 103 throughconnection 112. Main operation control 106 is connected to 120 voltpower inverter 103 through connection 113. 120 volt power inverter 103is connected to 24 volt transformers 105 and 105′ through connections115 and 115′, respectively. 24 volt transformers 105 and 105′ areconnected to ignition flame sensing controls 104 and 104′ throughconnections 111 and 111′, respectively. Ignition flame sensing controls104 and 104′ are connected to gas valves and tanks 102 and 102′ throughconnections 108 and 108′, respectively, and flame pipes 101 and 101′through connections 109 and 109′, respectively. Gas vales and tanks 102and 102′ are connected to flame pipes 101 and 101′ through connections110 and 110′, respectively. Box 114 represents the enclosure around thevarious components.

Main power supply 107 is any source of power capable of powering flameproduction system 100. In the current embodiment, main power supply 107provides direct current. Main operating control 106 comprises alloperating controls for the user to turn the flame production system 100on and off, as well as control the flow of gas and flames in the presentinvention. 120 volt power inverter 103 changes the electricity providedby main power supply 107 from direct to alternating current.

24 volt transformers 105 and 105′ change the current from 120 volt powerinverter 103 to 24 volts in order to power the current embodiment of thepresent invention. The voltage from the 24 volt transformers 105 and105′ power the ignition flame sensing controls 104 and 104′. Theignition flame sensing controls 104 and 104′ detect the presence ornon-presence of a flame in flame pipes 101 and 101′, respectively, andcontrol the flow of gas and/or liquid contained in gas valves and tanks102 and 102′, respectively. The gas and/or liquid flows throughconnections 110 and 110′ into flame pipes 101 and 101′, respectively.

When a flame is detected by the ignition flame sensing controls 111 and111′ in flame pipes 101 and 101′, respectively, or the ignition sourceis determined by the ignition flame sensing controls 111 and 111′ to beat the proper temperature to create the desired flame, gas valves andtanks 102 and 102′ release gas into flame pipes 101 and 101′,respectively. If not flame is detected in flame pipes 101 and/or 101′,no gas from gas valves and tanks 102 and 102′ is released.

Flame pipes 101 and 101′ each comprise an ignition source disposed on orin the flame pipes 101 and 101′. Once the ignition source in flame pipes100 and 100′ is activated, the flame production system 100 is ready tobe operated and the flame pipes 100 and 100′ are ready to ignite the gasand/or liquid.

The ignition source contained in flame pipes 101 and 101′ is chosen fromthe group comprising, including, but not limited to, glow plugs, hotsurface igniters, and electronic igniters.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, gas valves andtanks 102 and 102′ contain any combustible liquid or gas.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises any number of flamepipes 101 and 101′. The tubes are such that they are mounted onto anautomobile, specifically a pick-up truck, directly behind the cab andextending vertically.

In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention is installedhorizontally under an automobile.

In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention is installedon a boat.

In on embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention is installed onany movable or immovable object, or may be operated independently.

In all embodiments, the apparatus of the present invention can bebolted-on to the automobile, boat, or other external device.

The flame production system 100 is self-sustained and self-contained.

In one embodiment, a plurality of 120 volt power inverters, 24 volttransformers, ignition flame sensing controls, gas valves and tanks,and/or flame pipes 101 and 101′ are contained in the flame productionsystem.

In one embodiment, the flame production system 100 is controlled viaBluetooth or other wireless method of transmitting data.

In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention is wireddirectly to the electrical system of the automobile, boat, or otherexternal device.

An improvement of the present invention is that it is portable andinexpensive. An additional improvement of the present invention is thatit is easy to install.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specificbest mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications,and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light ofthe foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace allsuch alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within thescope of the included claims. All matters previously set forth herein orshown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in anillustrative and non-limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flame production apparatus comprising: at leastone power supply; at least one 120 volt power inverter; at least onemain operation control; at least one 24 volt transformer; at least oneignition flame sensing control; at least one gas valve and tank; atleast one ignition source; at least one flame pipe; and means forconnecting all components.